Chief of State Migration Service met UN High Commissionaire for Refugees

Chief of State Migration Service II rank state migration service counselor Firudin Nabiyev met UN High Commissionaire for Refugees Filippo Grandi in the frame of visit to Geneva.

Active participation of the Azerbaijani delegation in the 67th session of the Executive Committee of UN High Commissionaire for Refugees (UNHCR) at the invitation of UN High Commissionaire for Refugees was highly appreciated at the meeting.

It was mentioned that the high level cooperation between Azerbaijan and UNHCR was further developed as a result of successful foreign policy of President Ilham Aliyev.

Firudin Nabiyev emphasized significance of conditions created for IDPs, newly established residential complex, as well as implemented other social projects. Chief of State Migration Service stated that Azerbaijan has undertaken all problems of IDPs forced from their homeland and carries out measures on employment, education, accommodation, medical and social provision of these persons step-by-step and mainly on the principle of succession of the solution of the social and accommodation of the families living in more difficult situation. During the past period around a hundred modern settlements have been built, accommodation conditions of thousands of refugee and IDP families have been improved. During the past 20 years approximately 6 billion dollars have been spent to solution of social problems of IDPs in Azerbaijan.

II rank state migration service counselor Firudin Nabiyev also mentioned that Azerbaijani Government is increasing its efforts for elimination of the existing challenges of Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs who have been victim of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through development of cooperation with its partners both on bilateral and multilateral level. 

F.Nabiyev told: “Despite these efforts a number of problems of refugees and IDPs have not been resolved yet. One of the main problems is that the conflict has not been resolved so far as a result of destructive position of Armenia. Depending on the results of the negotiations on regulation of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict cooperation of UN, OSCE and other organizations agreed with Azerbaijani Government is important. Azerbaijan is grateful for UNHCR for readiness to participate there. We are hopeful that as a result of general coordination of UNHCR the activity of international organizations on this difficult issue will result in success.”

F.Nabiyev stated that Azerbaijan attaches great significance to consolidation of relations with UNHCR. The activity of UNHCR in Azerbaijan is remarkable and this can be a good example for other UN countries. Former High Commissionaire Antonio Guterres visited Azerbaijan on May 18-19, 2011. High Commissionaire Filippo Grandi was invited to Azerbaijan in appropriate time.

Chief of State Migration Service added that “Azerbaijan with total population of 9.7 million is one of the counties with the biggest burden of displacement for per capita IDPs. It is more than 25 years that Armenia grossly violating norms and principles of international law and insisting on its unreal occupation claims continues efforts towards consolidation of its aggression policy, as well as current status-quo and hinders return of thousands of Azerbaijani IDPs to their homeland. It should be noted with regret that Armenian Government abuses the migration problems in the world by violating requirements of international humanitarian law deploys the Armenian refugees from Syria in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. It is, of course, the next step by Armenia towards consolidation of the results of ethnic cleansing policy and military aggression which is continued in relation to Azerbaijan. Armenians declaims that they have received 20 000 Syrian refugees. It is interesting, are the at least 10 refugees of Arab origin among them?” 

Expressing that expansion of geographic area of conflicts zones across the world in recent years has resulted in increase in the number of those who have lost their lives and forced to flee their homes, demonstration of helplessness by international organization towards prevention of conflicts worries everyone Service Chief emphasized that progress of events in this direction and getting out of the scope of impact of international community can lead to chaotic, catastrophic situation and big tragedies. We consider that in the first place international community should prevent emergence of new conflict zones, as well as by taking just position should demonstrate resoluteness in finding solutions to existing conflicts, prevention of acts against international law, increasing pressure on countries which do not approach seriously to international responsibility.

The activity of UNHCR Azerbaijan Office which has been providing assistance to solution of the problems of refugees and IDPs in our country by implementing sustainable and transparent projects since the day it was established was highly appreciated.

Furdin Nabiyev brought to attention that economic development, democratic reforms, as well as other issues demonstrates that our Azerbaijan is an influential state. He stated that today respect to human and civil rights and freedoms, rule of law, equality before the law and principles of justice are main criteria in our republic.

Perspective of cooperation was discussed at the meeting.